The government has made it a point to obtain a license to broadcast on the Internet, including YouTube channels. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has amended the National Broadcasting Regulations for the eleventh time to regulate broadcasting through the Internet. This amendment, for the first time, brought YouTube and other broadcasts of a similar nature into the legal realm.
The regulations define online television broadcasting of audio-visual programs through various OTT platforms, including YouTube, as well as the Internet.
According to the definition given in sub-rule 2 of rule 2 of the amended rules, the service provided through internet without using any program through DTH cable or satellite television is called OTT. It also mentions 'media streaming' services on other 'platforms' via the Internet.
Similarly, the act of regularly producing audio-visual programs produced by oneself through the Internet is defined as online television. As per the regulations, one will have to pay Rs. When publishing such material, it should be classified according to the age of the consumer.
Programs suitable for children and all age groups should be rated 'U', programs suitable for the age group of ten to eighteen years should be rated 'R', and programs suitable for the age group above 18 years should be given an 'A' rating.
Gogan Bahadur Hamal, director-general of the Department of Information and Broadcasting, said that the government has made such arrangements by amending the regulations to regulate online broadcasting. "This amendment would bring broadcasts from various other platforms, including YouTube, under the purview of the law," he said. Now it has come to implementation. More explanations will come through the directory. '
